The Forestburg program had both of its basketball programs start 2024 by finishing second in district making the playoffs for the first time in several years. The Lady Horns unfortunately fell short against a tough Graford team in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The Longhorns beat Newcastle in the bi-district round, breaking a nearly 10 year draught from their last playoff win. The boy’s then lost in the area round to Dodd City.
In the spring, both track teams did well at the district and area level. Eventually, the Lady Horns had two athletes qualify for the state meet. Brenna Briles brought back a gold medal in the high jump while Reagan Ladewig earned ninth place in the shot put in her final high school meet.
In tennis, the mixed doubles team of Ali Cisneros and Jesse Wadsworth qualified for the regional tournament after finishing second at district.
In the fall season, the Lady Horns volleyball team finished third in district to qualify for the playoffs for the second straight year. Forestburg eventually fell to Crowell in the bi-district round.

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The Saint Jo Panthers saw success in every sport in 2024. The year started with both basketball teams doing well. The Panthers finished third and made the playoffs before losing in the bi-district round to Perrin-Whitt.
The Lady Panthers won the district title and made it to the regional quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Newcastle.
In the spring, Julian Luna qualified for the regional golf tournament after finishing fifth at the district tournament.
In tennis, Saint Jo had the girl’s doubles pair of Taylor Patrick and Kyler Dunn make it back to the state tournament before losing in the first round. Fellow girl’s doubles pair Maxey Johnson and Bailey Nobile also qualified for regionals as well after finishing second at district.
The track program saw both teams win the district titles. The boy’s eventually had a few athletes qualify for the state meet. Damon Byrd earned a bronze medal in the triple jump and fourth place in the long jump. Byrd was also a part of the 4×200 meter relay team along with Blaine Penaluna, Devin Stewart and Lee Yeley that finished in seventh place.
The softball team recovered from a tough regular season to beat Perrin-Whitt in the bi-district playoff round. The Lady Panthers then lost to Jonesboro in area.
The Saint Jo baseball team also played in the playoffs, but fell short against Electra in the bi-district round.
The fall season was just as impressive. The Saint Jo volleyball team won the district title and made it all the way back to the regional final for the third straight year. Unfortunately, also for the third straight year, the Lady Panthers fell to the eventual state champion, this time Harrold.
The football team won its first nine games and finished second in district to make the playoffs for the sixth straight year. The Panthers also won their first playoff game since 2021, upsetting state-ranked Avalon in the bi-district round. Saint Jo then lost the next round to Abbott.
In cross country, the boy’s team qualified for the state meet after finishing third at the regional meet. The Panthers ended up eventually ninth place overall.
The Lady Panthers were one spot short of qualifying for state, finishing in fourth place. Still, the team had Savannah Hill qualify individually for state where she finished 55th.

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The Nocona year started with great seasons from both basketball teams. The boy’s team won district for the second straight year. Unfortunately, the Indians season ended sooner than expected when they lost to Tolar in the area round of the playoffs.
The Lady Indians made history, making it to the state tournament for the first time in program history and made it to the championship game. Unfortunately, the fairy tale ending did not fall for Nocona as it lost to Martin’s Mill on a buzzer beater. Still, it was a ride no one in Nocona will ever forget.
The spring season saw some success for the program.
In tennis, Kaygan Stone made it out of district in girl’s singles after finishing second, qualifying for the regional tournament. In golf, her brother Johnny Stone was the only Nocona athlete to qualify for the regional meet after finishing fifth at district.
In track and field, the program had Graci Brown qualify for state for the second straight year in multiple events. Brown came back with a bronze medal in the 800 meters. She finished fifth in the 400 meters and fifth in the 4×400 relay along with Ava Johnson, Ayden Patton and Meg Meekins.
Finally, the spring season ended with the Nocona baseball team breaking a nearly 20 year playoff drought, earning its district’s final playoff spot and playing in the postseason for the first time since 2005. While the Indians lost in the bi-district round to Windthorst, it was a good direction for the young team.
In the fall season, the Lady Indian volleyball team earned a share of the district title with Windthorst to keep their streak alive. Nocona also made it all the way to the regional final for the second straight year, before unfortunately losing to Wink.
Also in the fall season, the cross country boy’s team made it to regionals, but none qualified for the state meet. The Lady Indians lone runner, Bayler Smith, qualified for state where she finished 41st overall.

To see pictures and highlights from other schools, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.